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BBC Inside Science: Electronic brain probe; Rural stream biodiversity; Arctic weather research trip; Science book prize

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30/08/2018

Electronic brain probe; Rural stream biodiversity; Arctic weather research trip; Science book prize

BBC Radio 4 - BBC Inside Science, Electronic brain probe; Rural stream biodiversity; Arctic weather research trip; Science book prize

Electronic brain probe; River biodiversity; Arctic weather expedition; Science book prize

How an electronic device implanted in the brain could stop epileptic seizures, and why freshwater species are being lost twice as fast as in any other ecosystem

Scientists have shown how an electronic gadget, implanted in the brain, can detect, treat and even prevent epileptic seizures. Epilepsy is usually treated using anti-epilepsy drugs, but can cause serious side-effects. Researchers at the University of Cambridge, are aiming to create something more specific to the part of the brain with the problem. Professor Malliaras tells Marnie Chesterton about the unique properties of this new implant, which could be used for a range of brain-related conditions from Parkinson’s tremors to brain tumours.

Many of Britain’s cleaner urban rivers are home to levels of biodiversity not seen for decades. But rural rivers, even in places without pollution, tell a different story. Up in the hills of central Wales, just north of the Brecon Beacons, lies the Llyn Brianne observatory and its surrounding system of beautiful streams. Professor Steve Ormerod from Cardiff University has been taking stock of the dwindling number of specialist invertebrates and the subtle ways the decline is happening which points to an extinction crisis that has gone unnoticed.

Marnie Chesterton checks in with bubble physicist Dr Helen Czerski. She’s part of a team of researchers aboard the icebreaker Oden research vessel, which is trying to understand arctic weather patterns and how the contents of open water between ice flows influence cloud behaviour. It’s a race against time to gather data before any water refreezes as the arctic winter approaches.

Inside Science has been profiling authors shortlisted for the prestigious Royal Society science book prize. This week it’s the turn of materials scientist Mark Miadownik, His new book “Liquid: The delightful and dangerous substances that flow through our lives” is about fluids and how their particular properties allow life to flourish. 



Presenter Marnie Chesterton

Producer: Adrian Washbourne

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